this is my first go on the board apart from my introductory message and I feel a bit guilty about starting a new topic but I have scrolled through recent months postings and in my limited time availability not really come across the answer to my question 'Is increasing the Meds the best way when symptons of the PD start to be more stronger?'
I am on a reasonably modest dosage of Sinemet given that I have had PD for 6 years but am resisting upping the dose to alleviate stronger symptons because I feel that heavier dosages of Meds brings forward unwanted side efffects and in particular the dreaded Dyskinesias. I belong to a small support group here in the UK and from what I can tell the people with the worst cases of dyskinesias are those who have most frequently increased their Meds.
I bear in mind what Ed said back in July 05 about Meds sometimes delaying the PD symptons and wonder what is the best of the two arguments. Does anyone have a helpful view on this? Is the cure worse than the disease?
HI billy, I wanted to tell you to post away, please dont feel guilty about starting a new thread. Sometimes it gets a little slow around here and something new is a nice change of pace. My opinion on that. As for the medications all I can say is everyone is going to react differently. You wont really know until you try and you never know it may help. Perhaps, you can discuss with your doctor your concerns and if you do decide to up them and it causes the dyskinesia than you can back off of the additional dosage or try taking a benzotropine with it (which works for the side effect of dyskinesia). Either way keep open communication with physician. Good luck and please do keep us updated we look forward to hearing more from you....
Welcome back glad you posted.A possibility for you is to add comtan to the sinemet to decrease the off time.This could be done with stalevo( expensive) or with another Rx of comtan.I would ask your neuro about this.Stalevo works for me,and has helped me keep my sinemet dose down,but I'm not a Dr.,and all meds effect everyone differently.I also am very reluctant to increase my med dosage for the same reason you are.Stay well EdEd-Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1998.As long as I can fish life is good.Keep a great attitude.It benefits all.
support Healing Well thru the sponsors and with donations.The light is always on stay well,and listen to your neurologist.
Els and Ed. Thanks for your replies. I have not taken them in properly yet as I dont have much time on the computer just now. However, I do have a quick question and that is how do I find out where contributors are from. Nearly everyone on this forum seems to be from the good old US of A and there appears to be a marked difference in the way people from different countries interface with their doctors and consultants. Thanks again..you have made me feel nicely welcome
Billy, You are much welcome. Do you mean how do you find out where a member is from? To do that you would just click on their name and it will take you to their profile. From there you can see where that person if from and interests and such if they have included this in their profile.